A new BBQ sauce

I have a huge love for BBQ and enjoy it with my usual BBQ sauces but lately I've been looking for something different outside of the norm. Although there are tons and tons of BBQ sauces out there and while they all have their own unique spins, they pretty much are all the same. You rarely see a different BBQ sauce being explored, both in restaurants and on the famous 'Food Network'. I want something different! A new change in my eats. More culture. More creativity in the works---from myself and from others. 

So one day....

I think I found my 'it' sauce. Or I know I found my 'it' sauce. How do I know I found it? Because I crave* it all the time now and that's enough to solve this new sauce dilemma! Or at least start my search for more.

*Growing up, my mom used to crack jokes all the time about my cravings and how they = to pregnant women cravings! Ugh! I can't help it! And that is one of the main reasons why I run, ;) besides the fact I actually do love running!

I got this recipe from an Egyptian friend. -I added a couple things to the mix to make it my own without changing its simplicity- At first, I didn't want to try it---WHAT?! The reason for this is because I asked what was in it and the main flavor you get from this sauce is---tahini. And to be honest, I wasn't too fond of it at the time. It's not a bad thing but in my opinion, too much of it is....too much. It's a strong flavor when used to the supreme. I know it's in one of my favorites--hummus, but I prefer it when it's used lightly. Now, things have changed and I appreciate it more. I've enjoyed experimenting with it now in both savory and sweet dishes.

So of course I tried it anyway and it was love from there. You get the hint of tahini but it really isn't overpowering at all. And it goes great with chicken. It's definitely not your typical 'BBQ Sauce' but I strongly urge you all to give it a go. Just once! Then tell me if you agree or disagree. I added the cayenne and garlic for that little hint of spice and I love love garlic so of course it made the cut. Sometimes I add the vinegar and sometimes I don't. Either way it's still a palate pleasing sauce.

Tahini BBQ Sauce Recipe:

1/3-1/2 cup Tahini
2 cups Plain Yogurt
1 Tbsp Vinegar, optional
Juice of 1/2-1 Lemon
Salt, to taste
1-2 tsp Paprika
1/4-1/2 tsp Cayenne
2 cloves of Crushed Garlic or 2 tsp Granulated Garlic Powder
Water, small amount just to achieve liquid consistency
Chopped Parsley

*Note: May need to experiment to your liking and double/triple/leave as is depending on the number of people enjoying this. Nothing is measured exactly when I make this. Some changes may or may not need to be made, depending on your liking.

1) Combine all ingredients and either use as a dip or pour over your meat of choice*.

*I've only had this with chicken. I haven't experimented yet with other meats.

It's time to appreciate the ingredients we have been given in each and every culture in this world.

Will you try this new BBQ sauce recipe?

Happy 4th!

To celebrate the fourth, I'm making my Blue Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Burgers. Mainly because I'm running everyday now for my current job and I have been CRAVING a good burger bad for days now. And normally, when it comes to my cravings, I have to give in because it just doesn't go away! And I would never deprive myself of eating good comfort food. :)

Once in a while, I'm all about simple and don't feel the need to add odd ingredients to everything I make, according to my friends. The faster it's put together, the quicker I get to eat!  It's only FOUR ingredients. No salt added and no salt needed. Satisfies the craving of a burger, who doesn't love bacon and blue cheese together, and my love of garlic. All put together to make an all around filling and craving-satisfied meal.

All you need is:

1 lb of ground beef (or chicken, lamb, your preference)
Garlic powder/Granulated Garlic
1/2 cup blue cheese
4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Combine cheese and bacon; set aside. Mix the meat and garlic together. Split meat into four sections and shape into rounds. Hollow out each ball and stuff in the cheese-bacon mixture. Close off and flatten with the palms of your hands. Heat skillet or get the grill going and cook burgers for 3-5 minutes on each side. Serve with avocado and keep it simple or add any of your favorite toppings on a hamburger bun.

My mouth is watering now.

Baby Blues BBQ

So I was craving beef and decided to take that and look for a good hole in the wall BBQ place. After coming up with a list of a few places, I narrowed it down to Baby Blues BBQ in Venice. What brought me to choosing Baby Blues BBQ? The menu. Period. The options are endless! And it made my mouth water and that's more important! What style of BBQ is Baby Blues? They call it a hybrid. They mix it up Memphis-style, sauce from North Carolina, and a little New Orleans blended up in there.

It is a restaurant that was also featured on the Food Networks show "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives" with Guy Fieri. So, the question is, did Guy Fieri let me down? Read on...



The dinner low-down



The sauces (clockwise): XXX: Insane hot sauce, BBQ sauce (behind XXX), A Ginger and Tabasco sauce, and Sweet BBQ sauce. Behind in the Jack Daniel's bottle is an Apple Cider vinegar. The winner? Hands down, we both agreed that the Sweet BBQ sauce was our favorite. Slight sweet with the BBQ sauce that pairs well with every meat that was on our plates.


The menu.

My friend Jessica and I started it off with a couple sweet teas. Southern-style drink. Not too sweet at all. Very refreshing.



Meat of choice?

Jessica went with the Beer Braised Beef Brisket Sandwich. The sides she chose were Coleslaw and not just any ol' Mac 'n Cheese. Unbelievable Mac 'n Cheese! What made it unbelievable to me? Something I never really thought of ever doing. They add Blue cheese to it. AmaZING. I love blue cheese and now thinking about incorporating it into my mac 'n cheese. The verdict with her sandwich? She loved it but at the same time thought the brisket was just a little bit dry but by adding the coleslaw to it and experimenting with the sauces, she made the sandwich work.



I had my heart set on getting the Texas-style ribs but found out that they do it differently here. One rib = $21.95. Uh oh. Not going to happen. You can get 5-6 huge ribs at Dr. Hogly Wogly's Texas BBQ for that same price. So I decided to upgrade to a bigger dish for around the same price that would allow me to have leftovers to take home and to be creative with what I had by making other dishes with the meat I had left (which you know would be a lot!)



So I ended up getting the Big Blue deal. I was able to get a Texas-style rib and add on Beef Brisket and Marion County Slow Smoked Chicken for just $6 more. Deal came with corn bread and I got the Baked beans and the Mashed Sweet Potatoes. The result? Loved the rib, so tender. Fell of the bone. The chicken--Easy to get into. Lovely char on it. And the brisket...oh the brisket. I don't know what to say other than I'm not sure I liked it very much. Dry to me. The sweet sauce helped a little, but to me, I just wasn't much of a fan. It's just my opinion. I'm sure others like it just the way it is. Kind of wish I went for the shrimp, but no worries, you live and you learn.

BBQ beans were kind of bland until I added the Sweet BBQ sauce to it and then it was just fine. And the Mashed Sweet Potatoes tasted like sweet potato pie without the pie shell. Yum!

All in all, I give Baby Blues BBQ 3 1/2 stars: ♥♥♥1/2. The service is friendly and fast. Loved our chill waitress. She also loved and appreciated the fact that we made the drive all the way down to Venice JUST for their food. Yes. That's what I do! But what really got us was that out of the 4 sauces, we really only enjoyed 1 of them and the brisket could have been more tender, but all in all, a wonderful meal. I say it is worth the drive down for but I also think that I will leave it to just trying this place once. Keep it special like that. So did Guy Fieri let me down? Not at all. Cruise on to Baby Blues BBQ.

Scallion Blini With Chicken in Tandoori BBQ Sauce By Aarti Sequeira

So I am now finally able to post this recipe. I cannot really get into what I saw at the Food Network taping of "The Next Food Network Star" back in January, but it just aired last weekend so you are now able to see it online..

Small recap of the show: Santa Monica Pier Party

I think you can probably tell who I am rooting for. You know it... Aarti!

How she is on TV is exactly how she is in person. So friendly, warm, genuine, real, and a darn great cook! Her dish was BY FAR my fav dish that day. I remember some of my conversation I had with her too. I went up to her station. She said hello and asked me if I had anything good so far. I told her I hadn't tried anything that sparked my interest yet and she responded by saying she hoped I enjoyed this and explained what it was. I tried it--I loved it! All I said was "Oh my goodness, this is so good!" She then said "Really!" and seriously walked around her station and gave me a hug! Too bad that didn't show up on camera! So yes, this recipe here definitely sparked my interest. Nothing compared to it. And I am SO GLAD the judges felt the same way. In fact, I even told Bobby Flay that he had to try it!

Right after the show aired last Sunday, I immediately wrote to Aarti asking her to please post the recipe! She sent me the link and now I can't wait to make it on my own! Here it is...

Scallion Blini With Chicken In Tandoori BBQ Sauce

Here's her blog if interested in checking it out. She gave me the link after our conversation. It is also located on the right side of my blog under Good Reads:

Aarti Paarti

Not even kidding, it was absolutely magnificent and you should really try it out. Now, all I've got to say is this: Food Network, PLEASE DON'T LET ME DOWN THIS YEAR! Last year was bad but please do the right thing this time around!

Mom Can Cook-Take Two and T-Bo's "Supposedly Best" BBQ In Town

Okay, so I have two restaurants that I went to this week. One revisited and one for a work holiday event. Mom Can Cook and T-Bo's House of BBQ.

The first---Mom Can Cook. The last time I went, in October, I was sick, didn't have my sense of smell and taste, and relied on my friend Paola to tell me the flavors. So I decided to go back, try it again, and re-do my review on it before. Won't change my thoughts from before but I'll give more accurate descriptions from my tastebuds this time around.

You can make fun of me if you want, but I ended up ordering the same food as before, minus the Tom Kha, just so that it is fair and the fact I had no problems with those two dishes before! And a bonus that I took home my food this time!

Siamese Fried Rice with Shrimp and Scallops



I'll just say this again--you may think "whoopdy do!", this is just fried rice. NO, this is not just fried rice. This is better than regular fried rice! The flavors have that Thai kick that make it stand out and place this in the "better than normal" category. I thoroughly enjoyed this, but to be honest, I think this was better the first time around. It wasn't bad, but I didn't get that special feeling inside like the first time I tried it. The rice was just a little soggy, was missing the lemongrass, and it was also missing the fried garlic and shallots that I LOVED the last time. I asked the waitress if I could have some on the side and she brought some to me right away. Poured it all on top of the rice and tried again. Gave the rice the kick it needed but still didn't feel the same. They said Mom cooks in the kitchen everyday, but I wonder if she had help that day.

Pad Woon Sen



This time around, I didn't want to try it with the beef since it was overcooked last time, so I chose between tofu and shrimp, and well, shrimp is one of my weaknesses so I chose shrimp. The dish was good, but the flavor was different, which I'm assuming it was because of the protein used in this dish, the shrimp, and not beef.

This time I was able to taste the fish sauce (nam pla น้ำปลา), but not enough of it. I actually asked them if I could have more of the sauce because I could only grasp a hint of it and that wasn't enough to hold the dish together, to me. And I really disliked having to do that. It made me feel guilty, but it truly did not have much sauce in the dish. They took the food, added the sauce, heated it up quickly and returned the dish. It was definitely better after. Could taste the flavor, the saltiness, and completed the dish, but again, it just wasn't as special to me as it was the first time around. I really don't know why I was feeling like this that night because it really is unlike me. I dislike change but I also like change and trying new things. Odd combination. I'm weird, I know. :)

And this time, I actually did look for the dessert menu, but there was none! Dessert is basically whatever they have on hand, or how everyone knows it as, the "Special of the Day". What they had on offer that night was Green Tea or Coconut Ice Cream and Fried Banana with Coconut and maple sauce. Of course I chose the Fried Banana because I JUST LOVE banana fried in the many ways that it is utilized in different cuisines and wanted to try out their style of the fried banana. And the fact it was my only option since I can no longer have ice cream (long story, I'll explain in my future blog "2009 Through My Mouth", which I am currently working on).

Fried Banana กล้วย ทอด



Fresh banana completely covered with freshly grated coconut, fried to perfection, and served with maple syrup.

I simply adored this dessert. I wanted another one, but had to have some self-control! The outside, the grated coconut, was just wonderful; so crispy. The banana was soft, smooth, and sweet. The combination--flawless, sexy, luring, and satisfying! And I loved the maple syrup with the banana. I actually utilized the sauce; not normal for me. (Not a real fan of most syrups--chocolate, caramel, honey, maple/pancake syrup :), butterscotch...etc) This won't mean I will be indulging in maple syrup from now on, but I will always enjoy this fried banana with the syrup. Pair well with eachother. Overall, satisfied and no issues. I recommend!

My friend Jessica got the Green Tea Ice Cream and of course enjoyed it.



Overall, good food and I would go back. Jessica said she would go back as well. The only issue I had was that I didn't get the same special feeling like I did the first time around. The food is really good and not at all putting anything I had that night down. Maybe it was just my mood before I got there? Not sure. As for the people, I LOVE the owner and his staff. I love the fact that he remembered me when I arrived there. He is very good at recognizing faces. Good experience, humble environment, and still makes you feel like you are in a restaurant in Thailand (again, I am assuming)!

Next up, we have T-Bo's House of BBQ

I'll make this quick, unlike the staff there with our meals. Went there Thursday night for a work holiday party. While there, I realized I could take what I had there and put it on here! Everyone at my table got a kick out of it, especially since it gave us all something to do for the amount of time we were there.

The whole night was just lagging. Got there at 7:00pm, saw that there was only one waitress for around 60 people. Really?!? I was literally at the forgotten table with a couple other coworkers. Everyone was enjoying their appetizers and after awhile, one of us alerted the waitress, who acted surprised that we were the only ones with no appetizers. I'm not blaming her for a poor start of the night, more like the whole restaurant staff in general. They finally got another waitress to help out, which did help a little but not a whole lot. The menu was planned in advance so the whole night shouldn't have been difficult. Everyone just assumed the food was made already and just needed to be "microwaved" :-P.

So here is what we had...

Appetizers

Pickle chips, Spinach Artichoke Dip, and Mad dog bites.



Pickles were fried with a regular flour, salt, water dough. Different and I did actually like it. Spinach Artichoke Dip was off to me. Don't think I really liked it, except for the cayenne pepper on top, which gave the dip a kick. I think it was the cream of the dip that gave me that odd taste. Didn't fancy it. The Mad dog bites were more like rubber dogs. I liked the concept, I'll give it that, but I don't think any of us could eat it. They basically did the same thing with the pickle and batter and fried the mini hot dogs. Literally couldn't bite into the hot dog. So rubbery. The pickles were the only hit of the appetizers.

Next up, the salad. There were three salads to choose from; I chose the Orange Salad.



I really don't know if I want to get into this, so I'll just make it quick. The salad was made up of mandarin oranges, granny smith apple slices, gorgonzola cheese, burned and stuck together candied pecans, raisins (why, I don't know), lettuce, and an odd tasting vinaigrette--citrus flavor but with an odd pairing. They said there would be jicama in this salad and there wasn't. Would have liked to enjoy the salad with it. The only parts of this salad I liked were the oranges, gorgonzola cheese, and just slightly, the pecans--just complaining because I have never seen a salad with chunks of pecans stuck together like the ones in our salad bowls. I'll just say poor execution of the salad.

Next up, they forgot the soup and went straight to the entree, which was late by the way. Party was supposed to end at 9:00pm. We got our food at 9:30 while some tables were already ordering dessert. When we had got our meals, we had also asked for to-go boxes since none of us really wanted to eat so late. Had many options with the pulled pork, BBQ smoked chicken, salmon, 1/4 rack of baby back ribs, and brisket. I wasn't really hungry to begin with so I just chose the BBQ Smoked Chicken. There were several options for the sides to choose from and made the decision to get the garlic mashed potatoes and BBQ beans.



Chicken skin was crisp and I loved the BBQ sauce. Only things I liked on the chicken. The chicken was dry. Ate a couple bites and put it in the to-go box. I had promised my friend at work beforehand that I would share the food with her at work the next day since she wasn't able to attend. (I gave her the whole chicken.) I will not complain about the sides though. I really did love the garlic mashed potatoes and BBQ beans. The mashed potatoes had the right amount of garlic, not too overpowering (though I love garlic so I wouldn't have disliked it otherwise!) and the BBQ beans had that spicy and sweet flavor that I am always fond of. I didn't give her the sides! :)

Last but not least, we had ordered dessert when we had got the to-go boxes so that we wouldn't have been so far behind (at this time there were about 4 servers, which made things move more smoother). Choices were: Cow pie (?), Carrot Cake (!), Peanut Butter pie (iffy), T-Bo's S'mores (YUM!!), and Lemonade pie (interesting!). Two people at the table ordered the carrot cake, which I'm sure it was good because I love carrot cake! One ordered the Lemonade Pie.

(At this time, my camera chose to die so remainder pictures come via my phone.)



Basically a lemonade-flavor ice cream pie with a really crumbly graham cracker crust. I had a bite and it wasn't bad at all. Her husband ordered, I believe, the Cow pie, which he didn't get because one of the waitresses gave his order to someone else. He then ended up ordering the T-Bo's S'mores to go, of course after looking at mine.

Yes, you know it! I ordered the T-Bo's S'mores to-go because you know I fall to my marshmallow weakness easily!


Seriously how good does that look! I might have to go get my leftovers after writing this!

How it looked like in the to-go box. Not as appetizing or pretty but remember---Don't judge anything by its looks until you try it!

It is made up of again, crumbly graham cracker crust, a brownie, topped with marshmallows, and chocolate sauce if you want it. I didn't. And I don't think it needs it. Really, I just fell in love with this. It was sooooo good. I let it cool down because I liked it better slightly cool/warm than when it was hot. I believe I made a perfect choice for dessert! When we all got dessert at our table, it was 10:40pm.

*Shockingly, I did bring some of it to work for Lacey, which she was SO excited because---ONE, she said it tasted like Heaven--she loved it and TWO, do you know how hard it is for me to give up anything with marshmallows in it?!?! VERY hard. She knows that and she better think I'm a great friend. She said my director told her that I am a very selfless person.

In the end, I give T-Bo's House of BBQ 2 1/2 hearts: ♥♥1/2. Honestly, this really has nothing to do with the waiters. I blame management for not having sufficient staff for a party that was planned ahead of time. Very unorganized. I've been to a couple work parties through this company (going on 4 years) and this party was the only one that was off. Anyways, I'm not judging the party, I'm critiquing the restaurant. The 2 1/2 hearts is because of the food. I really didn't like any of it. The only things that stood out to me were the fried pickles, entree sides, and the dessert. Wasn't too impressed with the whole meal. I'm sorry.

Would I go back? Probably not. If I did, it wouldn't be coming out of my wallet. I might just go back for the dessert, but then again, I could just make it whenever I was craving it! ;) It isn't a complicated thing to do.

There you have it. Two restaurants--two different reviews. Next up should be two new restaurants--Argentine and Vietnamese. And a recap of 2009 Through My Mouth to follow after.

Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ

Best BBQ ever in California. Period.



Of course on the Top 10 list for best BBQ in Southern California. And in the front, I'd like to add. Dr. Hogly Wogly's is known for having the best beef brisket, ribs, Texas sweet BBQ sauce, sides, and very chill waitresses who pretty much all look the same! This is the one BBQ place I recommend you really check out. It is a definite must. You will be missing out on a good hole in the wall if you don't.

My friend Eunice discovered this place years ago and had me go with her one day to check it out awhile back. I fell in love with the look of the restaurant, how easy it was to get seated, easy to order, the bread, the sides, and meat! Also, how quickly you receive your meal. We try to make it a habit to come here one to two times a year to enjoy this goodness. Why only one to two times a year, you ask? Because I can physically feel my arteries clogging as I am enjoying my meat! It takes time for my body to adjust to this artery-clogging, high cholesterol high!

So at this time, we were seated at our table. We both ordered our waters. We then looked at our menus to set up our individual meals. First you must choose your sides. The only options are potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, and baked beans. Personally I wish they would expand on that and add mac and cheese, baked potato, mashed potatoes, greens (from what I've been hearing from others), make their french fries a side option (they aren't; you would have to pay extra to get these), or offer different sides. Of course we both ordered the baked beans. We enjoy their sweet, filling flavor. You can't find that flavor anywhere.



Eunice ordered the potato salad this time instead of the coleslaw and I ordered the macaroni salad. I enjoyed it though in my opinion, has too much mayonnaise and doesn't have much in the side dish other than the macaroni, mayonnaise, celery, and the only seasoning my tongue could grasp, salt.



We had received our bread and butter along with the sides. Seriously, there is nothing much to say other than that we love the bread, which has a slightly sweet touch to it, along with the butter. We can't get enough of it.



After a quick scan of the menu, Eunice already knew she was going to order the ribs. Me of course, that day, I went in thinking I was going to order the chicken, somehow wanted to get the beef brisket, and ended up ordering the ribs as well! It's so hard to make up your mind there when there are so many good choices to choose from! I think the next time I go, I'll order with an option of the two or three-combo meals. The prices are pretty much the same whether you get a regular plate or one of their combos. You'll end up taking the leftovers home anyways and they seem to last for almost a week!

We received our ribs rather quickly, as usual, and oh goodness, we always take a look at them for a few minutes before we start to chow down! THEIR RIBS ARE HUGE! In the past, we used to get six ribs each on our plates, but now I don't know if they are downsizing, but we got five ribs this time. Not that I'm complaining, but they did make good leftovers for a hardworking college graduate!

The meat just falls off the bone. So tender. So juicy. So meaty. So flavorful. The flavors are doing the samba in your mouth. It just brings you to new and high levels of satisfaction. I also just love the sweetness of the Texas BBQ sauce they serve on the side. Everyone has their own preference for how they like their own BBQ sauce and though I'm not completely into sweet BBQ sauce, I love it here. It really isn't too sweet at all as some people think it is; more of just a hint. I always pour the sauce all over the ribs before I dive in.



Had to get a shot with the lights to show the liquids from the ribs. The seasonings, the flavors---SIMPLY OUTSTANDING! If you choose to enjoy your ribs without the BBQ sauce, you can because the liquid is full of flavor and definitely enough to really pleasure your tastebuds. Pure and heart satisfying.



I don't know how many ribs people normally indulge at Dr. Hogly Wogly's but Eunice and I cannot intake every rib on our plate! She was able to only finish two ribs and I had just barely started the second rib when my stomach sent the message to my brain that it was too full of lovin'!

At this point, we both sit back, relax, and ALWAYS say, "Oh, my stomach. Oh, my heart! I can't wait to do this again soon!" Oh and just be careful to not fall asleep at the restaurant because you will be sleepy! Guaranteed.

This is when the cleaning begins. Your hands are covered in sauce and are messy. There is always plenty of napkins and the wet wipes to clean up. This, to me, is not always enough, so I always have something like hand sanitizer which does somewhat help in the moment.



Now it's the time for your waitress to come and ask you if you want to take the rest of your meat home. Yes, of course! They will then pour everything on your plate, including the liquid into a plastic bag, double bag it, tie a knot to keep the goodness locked in, and place your meat into a brown paper bag. I would be SHOCKED if you left Dr. Hogly Wogly's without one of these:



So the total for a plate full of ribs is $20, which I'm assuming is pretty reasonable and includes all of the sides. I'll give Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ 4 and 1/2 hearts: ♥♥♥♥1/2. I would have given it 5 hearts if it had more side options to choose from and maybe even more dessert options. I remember the first time I came here, I ordered sweet potato pie and did not like it because they didn't let me know they had honey as one of their ingredients when I had asked (I can make sweet potato pie without it). I don't like honey at all and my tongue can tell the second it tastes it. Now I don't go there for the dessert, but some people do and I'm sure they would appreciate the variety. Overall, there is nothing wrong with having a variety of options to choose from during any part of the meal at any given restaurant you choose to settle down in.

Dr. Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ is friend-friendly, family-friendly, kid-friendly, stomach-friendly, flavor-satisfying, and a heart happy place. I believe it when they say it is one of the top BBQ restaurants in Socal. Definitely give it a go!


8136 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91402

And in other BBQ news, I have also heard that The Bear Pit is also a top BBQ restaurant in Socal. I have only heard good things about it so I will definitely check this place out sometime!

10825 Sepulveda Blvd.
Mission Hills, CA 91345